Kallang Theatre

location

1 Stadium Walk, Singapore 397688
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Kallang Theatre was originally built by Chong Gay Theatres in 1978 at a cost of $15 million, and could seat up to 2,000 people. However, in 1981, the government purchased the theatre for $12.5 million and converted it into a performing arts theatre as part of its efforts to create a new cultural hub in Singapore. Renovations were completed by the Public Works Department on 20 May 1986, reducing the seating capacity to 1,744 after it became the biggest theatre in Singapore following the closure of the National Theatre two years prior.

The Kallang Theatre soon became a popular venue for Broadway musicals such as Cats, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon and Phantom of the Opera, and even hosted the annual National Day Rally address by then-Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong from 1986 to 2000. However, with the opening of the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay and accessibility issues caused by the construction of the new Sports Hub, the utilisation rates for Kallang Theatre declined, and it was eventually closed down by the National Arts Council in 2007.

In 2011, Asia Arts & Culture Pte Ltd (AAC) rented and managed the site from the Singapore Land Authority, and invested $1.5 million in renovations and repairs, including a new audio and lighting system. The lease for the theatre ended on 31 January 2015, with the final performance being Dancing Tru The Seasons by Tru'Dance Singapore on 8 and 9 August 2014.

Sports Singapore then took over the lease from the Singapore Land Authority and tendered out management and operations of the site back to AAC. Since then, Kallang Theatre has hosted events such as the 35th Singapore National Age Group Chess Championships on 6 January 2019 and RuPaul's Drag Race live show on 2 February 2019.